Combination utility basket



Oct. 1, 1957 R. s. WILSON 2,808,171

COMBINATION UTILITY BASKET Filed Sept. 29, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

RODNEY S. WILSON Oct. 1, 1957 3, WILSON 2,808,171

COMBINATION UTILITY BASKET Filed Sept. 29, 1955 2 SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR. RODNEY S. WILSON United States Patent f COMBINATION UTILITY BASKET Rodney S. Wilson, Bellows Falls, Vt.

Application September 29, 1955, Serial No. 537,346 1 Claim. (Cl. 217124) This invention relates to improvements in picnic, market and utility baskets in which are provided means for partitioning and extension.

With relation to partitioning, the most common type now used consists of individual horizontal divisional partitions, adapted to be positioned on removable lateral supports fastened to the inside of the basket, and which must be stored when not in use.

A primary object of my invention is to provide a basket which has new and novel uses. It can be used with an internal separate compartment or it can be used so as to increase its normal carrying capacity by means of an external separate compartment. There are no extra parts to be stored or lost. Both sections are constructed of equal durability. The use of separate compartments prevents crushing of fragile materials or perishable foodstuffs. My device has an unobstructed readily removable flat top spaced from the ground when in use as a table and a separate compartment for utensils, glasses, etc., both of which are advantageous when used as a picnic basket.

Further objects of this invention will hereinafter appear from the following description of a preferred embodiment illustrative of the invention and shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of the device assembled;

Figure 2 is a transversecross-sectional view on line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of smaller basket with portion broken away to show a supporting bracket;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a smaller basket with portion broken away to show a cooperating catch;

Figure 5 is a front view of a portion of the device assembled in carrying position with smaller basket functioning as an extension.

' The device consists of a nest of two baskets, a larger one and a smaller one. The smaller one is hinged to a flat lid, common to both baskets, overlapping the rim of the smaller basket, but being substantially co-extensive with the rim of the larger basket and fitting between the sides of two bails pivoted to the outer rim of the larger basket. This assembly of lid and smaller basket may be used either by nesting the baskets one within the other with free side of the lid facing upwards with attached smaller basket suspended under it forming a divisional partition within the larger basket, or by facing the free side of the lid downward with the smaller basket in an inverted position on top of its extending upwards, thus augmenting the capacity of the device by providing an extension basket with additional cubical capacity but still retaining two compartments.

The smaller basket is of such a depth that when it is used in its inverted position and extending upwards, the two bails attached to the larger basket may be swung over in a symmetrically contiguous position clearing the top basket. A snug fit between bails and edge of lid prevents the lid assembly from sliding off when in an inverted position. The smaller basket may be provided 2,808,171 Patented Oct. 1, 1957 ice with lateral brackets attached to the outside of its rim for additional support on the rim of the larger basket.

Also the rim of the smaller basket may be provided with a catch cooperating with the lid.

Referring to the drawings the device therein shown as illustrative of one embodiment of my invention comprises a larger basket 11 with an outer rim 12 with outside surface 19 to which bails 13 are pivotally attached. A smaller basket 14 is longitudinally attached to one side of lid 15 by hinges 16. Lateral brackets 17 may be attached to the outer rim 18 of the smaller basket 14 for additionally supporting basket 14 on rim 12 of larger basket 11. Another method of suspending basket 14 from lid 15 is provided by the use of a conventional catch such as hook 20 and an eye 21 acting in conjunction with hinges 16. The lid 15 overlaps the outer rim 18 of the smaller basket 14 but is coextensive with outside surface 19 of rim 12 of basket 11. The lid 15 fits snugly between the sides of the bails 13 when they are in a vertical position. The assembly comprising the lid 15 and the smaller basket 14 is designed to function in two operable positions in cooperation with larger basket 11.

In one position the smaller basket 14 is nested within larger basket 11 and is supported on rim 12 by the overlap of the underside of lid 15, and in the other position, the smaller basket 14, attached to lid 15, is in an inverted position, with the free side of lid 15 resting on rim 19 of basket 11, the inverted basket 14 extending upwards.

While the preferred embodiments of my invention have been described in detail, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the particular construction set forth, since various changes in the form, material, proportions and arrangement of parts, and in the details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, or destroying any of the advantages contained in the same, heretofore described and defined in the subjoined claim.

I claim:

A portable two compartment container consisting of a dual nest of baskets, an unobstructed flat lid common to both baskets, said lid overlapping the rim of the smaller basket and substantially co-extensive with the outer rim of the larger of said baskets and two foldable locking bails pivotally connected to the outside rim of the larger of said baskets; the smaller of said baskets of said nest being hinged to one side of said lid and positioned on said lid for free assemblage with said larger basket of said nest; the depth of said smaller basket being less than the altitude of said bails when in a symmetrically contiguous position; the longitudinal edges of said lid providing a snug fit with the inside surfaces of said bails when in said position; said lid, with said smaller basket attached, being reversible, providing a divisional partition when said smaller basket is depending and an extension basket with two compartments when said smaller basket is inverted and extended upwards, said lid being locked in position by said bails when said smaller basket is in depending or extending positions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 211,984 Gage Feb. 4, 1879 464,565 Hawley Dec. 8, 1891 1,394,463 Allen Oct. 18, 1921 2,223,087 Beal NOV. 26, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS 339,738 Great Britain Dec. 18, 1930 

